Catio and gardening for wildlife workshop

Join us for this workshop on creating beautiful outdoor spaces for cats, wildlife & the gardening enthusiast.

Cat owners across the South West are becoming increasingly aware of the need to keep cats contained at all times to protect domestic cats and local wildlife. So do you own a cat but are not sure where to start? Mitre 10 Margaret River and GeoCatch are running an interactive DIY catio workshop to help you on your way to building your feline friend an affordable catio.

The workshop will show cat owners how to build a cat enclosure including the materials and tools required, design and installation process. Delivered by sustainability expert Chris Ferreira from The Forever Project and Eco Builder Matty Noakes, participants will get to see a step-by-step construction of a catio.

Dr. Heather Crawford, a cat behaviouralist from Murdoch University, will be presenting at the event. Heather says that cats can be content in an enclosed space if provided with the right stimulus and enrichment activities. "Cats can live happy, healthy lives in catios, provided its design provides mental and physical enrichment, such as climbing posts, plants, and other activities within the enclosure," explained Dr. Crawford.

The workshop will demonstrate that catios can be built on a budget using recycled products and cat netting to enclose the side of your house. Professional catio installers will be on hand to showcase more elaborate designs, encompassing patio and garden spaces with tunnels, vertical spaces, and climbing elements to keep cats enriched and entertained.

Featuring:

• Award-winning land restoration expert and author Chris Ferreira & Eco Builder Matty Noakes from The Forever Project
• Cat Behaviouralist Dr Heather Crawford
• $200 Catio Rebate scheme for cat owners*
• Educational stalls & advice on cat ownership, catio construction, wildlife and gardening
• $10 entry, proceeds go to Western Ringtail Action Group (WRAG) for wildlife recovery

This project is delivered by GeoCatch, in partnership with Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Mitre 10 Margaret River, with funding from the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program.